Facing fierce criticism of sexist and depraved rap lyrics, top music industry executives planned a private meeting. They would discuss the issue, they said, and "announce initiatives" at a press conference afterward.

In the wake of Don Imus' firing for his on-air slur about the Rutgers women's basketball team, a high-powered group of music-industry executives met privately Wednesday to discuss sexist and misogynistic rap lyrics.

A high-powered group of music-industry executives met privately Wednesday to discuss sexist and misogynistic rap lyrics, nearly one week after Don Imus was fired for calling the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos."

A federal appeals court on Tuesday slashed a $132 million verdict against recording company Island Def Jam Music Group and its former top executive to about $127,000. The dispute was about an unreleased record from rapper Ja Rule.

Warner Music Group has agreed to buy Madonna out of Maverick Records, the label she co-founded 12 years ago, to end the legal battle that pitted the music conglomerate against their biggest star. Madonna's Maverick Records debuted with a flourish and included the multiplatinum debut of Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill in 1995. More recently, the company has scored hits with Michelle Branch.